Guidelines to prevent damage to rental properties

The following points will help you to keep your rental property damage free, and will ultimately prevent any loss of bond money when it comes time to vacate your lease. Remember that prevention is better that cure!

1. Wooden / Laminate / Tiled Flooring – Ensure all furniture, in particular chairs, do not damage the floors. Use rugs throughout the area and stick felt pads underneath the legs of chairs and tables.
2. Carpets – Keep carpets clean to eliminate stains building up. It is your responsibility to ensure the carpets are in the same condition as when you moved in.
3. Dishwashers – Ensure you clean the filter in the dishwasher on a regular basis. Pull the filter out and give it a good clean at least every fortnight. You can also purchase dishwasher cleaner which you can run through your dishwasher on a monthly basis. This will also prevent the common problem of the dishes not being cleaned property, and it will help with keeping your drains smelling fresh in the kitchen.
4. Exhaust fans in bathroom – Vacuum the exhaust fans in the bathroom by taking the floor attachment off your vacuum. This will eliminate the build up of fluff, dust and dirt, and will keep your fan running smoothly and not using unnecessary electricity.
5. Shower Glass Doors and Mould in bathroom – If this not cleaned on a weekly basis, you will get to a point where you cannot get the water marks off the glass and mould off the walls. Remember, if water marks on the shower door develop while you have been the tenant, you are responsible. This is the same for mould. If you don’t keep a handle on the mould, it will get to a point of no return. So avoid unnecessary costs being taken off your bond by ensuring the glass and mould in your shower is cleaned regularly.
6. Gardens – Whether or not your rental agreement includes garden maintenance, you are still responsible for watering the garden and keeping the grass and plants in a good, healthy condition.
7. Pool – Whether or not your rental agreement includes pool maintenance, you are still responsible for making sure that the debris and leaves are removed on a regular basis. You also need to ensure the water level is continuously topped up, especially in periods of extreme Queensland heat. If the water level goes below the pool skimmer, there is a good chance that the motor will get seriously damaged. If this happens, it is for the tenant’s expense to get the motor repaired or a new one installed.
8. Pets – You must have permission from the owner to have pets on the property and it is your responsibility to rectify any damage that may be caused by your pet.
9. Kitchen and Bathroom Bench tops – Avoid using abrasive or caustic chemical products on bench tops. Direct heat can also cause damage, so please be careful of placing hot objects such as hair straighteners directly on bench tops.
The above will go a long way in ensuring your get your full bond back when your lease expires.
Remember to please contact us as soon as there is a maintenance issue that we need to be aware of. Do not wait until the routine inspection to let us know.